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Philip Catherine - Vienna Opus Archtop
After a long friendship of more then 25 years we finally came together. One of the great musicians that I have admired from the beginning of my career is Philip Catherine. I may know no one else who plays with such an emotion that always moves you even if you do not like jazz. Philip belongs to the greatest jazz player of the past and present century. He easily fits into the league of Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell or Joe Pass however always recognisable by his own unique sound. It is a great honour for me that Philip Catherine will also own a Vienna Opus already this year.
Biography
Philip Catherine has been on the forefront of the European jazz scene since the sixties. He has worked with great artists like Lou Bennett, Billy Brooks, Edgar Bateman, John Lee, Gerry Brown, Jean Luc Ponty, Larry Coryell, Alphonse Mouzon, Charlie Mariano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Toots Thielemans, Stéphane Grappelli, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Tom Harrell, the rock group Focus.
His unique approach and sound, his dedication to music and, above all, the highly emotional lyricism of expression in his playing and in his music, have been important and influential.
Philip Catherine was born in London in 1942
Coming from a musical family (his grandfather was first violin with the London Symphony Orchestra), he developed a musical ear from an early age. He took up the guitar after having heard George Brassens, and then started listening to all the great jazzmen of the period. Very soon he had the opportunity to meet some of them, and often play with them when they were performing in Belgium.
www.philipcatherine.com
www.philipcatherine.com/pages/english/selected_discography
Selection of recent testimonials
"Dear Theo, your classical is my favourite...
guitars are.. Daniel Friederich,.. Robert Ruck.
two Thomas Humphrey... Read more
3-1-2009, Craig Bachman, USA
18-12-2008, Mark Adams, England
7-8-2008, Frank Dunbridge, USA
USA: 22-11-2009: Tom Moore
Dear Theo, your classical is my favourite guitar. My other less favourite guitars are one Daniel Friederich, three Robert Ruck and two Thomas Humphrey.
Your build quality and sound surpass all of the above.
My Ruck guitars are the best Ruck guitars on the planet. The Friederich is great but is simply less sophisticated, less complex in sound quality and build quality. The Humphrey guitars are excellent.
Your build quality separates your guitar from the other guitars I have.
In addition, each string of your guitar sounds as the other strings with the same degree of volume, sustain and complexity. You have the finest Brazilian wood and it comes with superb sound volume and quality especially for a spruce.
They should study your guitar.
Sincerely,
Tom Moore
USA: 1-1-2009: Craig Bachman
The web site’s Dolphin guitar looks very familiar. I have not put it down. I have many other guitars, but this Dolphin is very interesting: The sustain, balance, and “voice - all very mature. The guitar suggests not only ”classical” and “jazz” but new music. I am very excited about it.
USA: 18-12-2008: Mark Adams
Guys, many thanks for the guitar. It is excellent. I have been playing most recently with gut strings so tuning the nylons up, was just short of torture. It is almost there now. Now I have to play it in. Superb work!
USA: 17-8-2008: Frank Dunbridge
The guitar looks and sounds beautiful. The guitar does not shout instead sings towards the audience; the broad spectrum delivers a strong presence that makes it possible to hear every detail even at the last row of the concert hall.